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Dr. Lorraine Bonner, a retired physician, presents her concept of "Liberatory Health," which integrates traditional western medicine with mindfulness and alternative approaches like meditation and guided imagery. Throughout her medical career, she treated conditions such as hypertension and diabetes while incorporating relaxation techniques and addressing root causes of illness rather than just symptoms. Dr. Bonner believes that illness stems from larger societal issues and coping mechanisms, advocating for community involvement as a pathway to collective well-being. She encourages people to connect with community helpers who are already working toward liberation through various forms of service and activism.

Leibo Glover's experience with diabetes leading to a below-the-knee amputation highlights a growing health crisis disproportionately affecting lower-income Californians. Research shows diabetes affects 1 in 6 adults with the lowest incomes compared to 1 in 11 with the highest incomes, with amputations more common in low-income ZIP codes. Dr. Bill Releford, a Los Angeles podiatrist, has responded by establishing Bloom Ranch, a 250-acre farm in Acton that serves as part of his preventive care strategy to address these disparities. The ranch aims to increase access to fresh produce in food deserts and potentially develop prescriptive vegetable boxes in partnership with UCLA and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

Rapper-actor Common, along with collaborators Karriem Riggins and James Poyser, has composed "Victory" as the official theme song for NBA on Prime Video's upcoming basketball coverage. The trio created three versions of the score—orchestral, hip-hop, and rock—recorded with a 70-piece orchestra in Nashville. The theme song will debut on October 24 during Prime Video's opening-night doubleheader featuring the Celtics vs. Knicks and Timberwolves vs. Lakers. For Common, who was once a Chicago Bulls ball boy and whose father played in the American Basketball Association, this project represents a meaningful way to connect with basketball through his musical talents.

A groundbreaking exhibition at London's Tate Modern titled "Nigerian Modernism" is showcasing over 250 works by more than 50 Nigerian artists, highlighting their significant but often overlooked contributions to modern art. The exhibition traces the development of modern Nigerian art from the 1940s through the colonial period, independence in 1960, and into the postcolonial era of the 1970s and 1980s. Notable featured artists include Ben Enwonwu, who gained international recognition while incorporating his Igbo heritage into his work, and Ladi Kwali, a pioneering female ceramicist who blended traditional techniques with modern training. This exhibition is part of a growing international recognition of African artists' contributions to modernism, reflected in both increased institutional attention and rising commercial interest.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken mixed action on bills aimed at addressing racial discrimination against Black Americans, signing legislation that allocates $6 million for CSU to study how to identify descendants of enslaved people and creating a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, while vetoing several other related proposals. Among the vetoed bills were measures that would have granted university admissions preference to descendants of enslaved people, investigated claims of racially unjust property seizures, and allocated 10% of first-time homebuyer funds for descendants of enslaved people. The vetoed bills were part of a broader legislative effort by the California Legislative Black Caucus to implement recommendations from a state reparations task force report documenting California's history of discrimination against Black Americans. Newsom cited various reasons for his vetoes, including existing legal authorities, potential legal risks, and lack of agency expertise to implement certain proposals.

Redemption Bank, the first Black-owned bank in the western United States, recently broke ground in Holladay, Utah, with Bernice A. King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., serving as senior vice president for corporate partnerships and community impact. The institution is classified as a Minority Depository Institution (MDI), becoming only the 24th such bank in the nation, and is uniquely positioned as the only Black-owned bank not located in an economically underserved community. Despite Utah's Black population being under 3 percent, founder Ashley Bell considers the state ideal for business due to its favorable banking regulations and supportive local investors and collaborators. The bank aims to address lending disparities highlighted by recent statistics showing 39 percent of Black-owned businesses were denied loans in 2024, significantly higher than the 18 percent rejection rate for white-owned businesses.

This article highlights three significant historical events that took place on October 16 across different years. In 1831, Lucy Stanton Day Sessions was born, later becoming the first African American woman to complete college-level education at Oberlin College and the first African American to publish a short story. Ebenezer D. Bassett, born in 1833, made history as the first African American diplomat when appointed as U.S. Minister to Haiti by President Grant in 1869. Finally, the Million Man March of 1995 brought together approximately 850,000 African American men at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., focusing on unity and community rebuilding, resulting in over 1.5 million Black men registering to vote nationwide.

Freddie Bevelyn, born in 1936 in New Orleans, passed away on September 30, 2025, after a life of dedicated service and community involvement. Following a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy where he developed carpentry and firefighting skills, Bevelyn worked at NASSCO for 25 years before retiring as a foreman. He was deeply committed to Bethel AME Church, serving as a Trustee from 1996 until being appointed to the position of Emeritus in 2025, while also actively participating in the Southeast Kiwanis Club and PAZZAZ, Inc. Known for his mechanical and culinary talents, particularly his famous gumbo and pralines, Bevelyn is survived by his wife Pat, daughter, grandsons, and numerous family members and friends.

Callie M. Burke, a devoted nurse and U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, passed away on September 21, 2025, at age 77 in San Diego, California. Her 50-year nursing career spanned service in the military, VA Hospital, and Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, where she approached healthcare as a spiritual calling. A graduate of Kaiser University with a nursing degree, Burke was deeply guided by her Christian faith throughout her life. She leaves behind a loving family including sisters, four children, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, having lived by her favorite scripture from 1 John 4:19 about loving others.

Acclaimed actress Diane Keaton, known for her iconic roles in films such as The Godfather series, Annie Hall, and Father of the Bride, has died at age 79 from pneumonia. Her family released a statement to People magazine thanking fans for their outpouring of support following her October 11th passing in California. The news prompted tributes from numerous Hollywood stars including her First Wives Club co-stars Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler, as well as Steve Martin. Keaton's remarkable five-decade career included an Academy Award for Annie Hall along with three additional Oscar nominations, and she was also recognized for her distinctive fashion style featuring turtlenecks and hats.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the recent indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James during a Washington, DC book promotion event that was repeatedly disrupted by Gaza war protesters. Harris questioned the legitimacy of the charges, noting that a previous "conservative Republican" prosecutor had found insufficient evidence against James, and criticized Trump's appointee US Attorney Lindsey Halligan for implementing what she called a "vengeance agenda." During the event, Harris expressed frustration with multiple protest interruptions related to Gaza, and also spoke out against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement measures and deployment of National Guard to major cities. Amid a government shutdown and looming layoffs, Harris encouraged federal employees to remain in their positions despite the challenges.

The Supreme Court heard extended oral arguments in a case challenging Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which could fundamentally alter electoral politics in the American South. The case began as a lawsuit by Black Louisiana voters seeking a second majority-Black congressional district but expanded when the court decided to consider whether the Act's requirement to create "opportunity districts" for minorities is constitutional. If successful, the challenge could lead to congressional redistricting across southern states, potentially flipping more than a dozen seats from Democratic to Republican control and giving Republicans a decisive advantage in the House of Representatives. During arguments, the conservative-leaning court appeared potentially open to reinterpreting or limiting the landmark civil rights law, with Justice Kavanaugh expressing concerns about indefinite racial considerations in districting.

In the wake of a bank fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Tish James, Black women and organizations including the NAACP are rallying to support her against what they view as attacks from Donald Trump. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has praised James for challenging Trump's actions constitutionally, noting her previous case against Trump regarding fraudulent business practices that resulted in a $454 million penalty, which was partially upheld by an appeals court. Recently, Trump accidentally leaked a message demanding charges against James, and the indictment comes shortly after similar charges were brought against former FBI Director James Comey by the same U.S. attorney's office. James is scheduled to appear in a Norfolk, Virginia court later this month to face the charge.

San Diego County is hosting two free flu vaccine events open to all residents regardless of insurance status, as the 2025-26 flu season begins with two recorded deaths already. Last season saw nearly 40,000 flu cases in San Diego County—the highest in five years—resulting in 220 deaths, including seven children, compared to 63 deaths the previous season. Health officials emphasize that the flu vaccine is safe, effective, and particularly important for high-risk groups like older adults and young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get vaccinated, ideally before holiday gatherings when the virus spreads quickly.

Proposition 50 in California aims to replace the state's current congressional district map with a new one drawn by Democratic consultants, bypassing the independent redistricting commission that has operated for two decades. The proposed map, developed by Democratic redistricting expert Paul Mitchell with input from California's Democratic congressional delegation, was approved by the state Legislature for the November ballot. While Republicans argue California's current map already favors Democrats disproportionately, academic institutions rate the existing map as mostly fair, whereas Princeton University's Gerrymandering Project gave the proposed map an "F" for partisan fairness. Both sides claim their preferred map better preserves community integrity, with analyses showing minimal differences in how cities and counties are divided between the current and proposed maps.

Adelita Grijalva, elected to Arizona's 7th Congressional District on September 23, has not been sworn in after three weeks, leaving over 800,000 constituents without representation. House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to seat her during pro forma sessions, claiming he's waiting for the government shutdown to end, while Democrats accuse him of deliberately delaying because Grijalva would be the decisive 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has threatened legal action, calling Johnson's refusal unconstitutional, while Grijalva insists she doesn't need "pomp and circumstance" but simply needs to begin serving her district.

St. Petersburg's City Council is considering approval of two flags, "Harmony" and "History," to recognize LGBTQ+ rights and racial history after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered similar street murals erased. The council delayed voting on the resolution sponsored by council member Gina Driscoll, seeking more information about potential state retaliation and constituent opinions. The flags, designed by artist Andrea Pawlisz, would symbolize the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion, with plans to display them on city property during appropriate times like Pride month and Black History Month. Several council members expressed support for the initiative but wanted further discussion, which will continue at a committee meeting on October 23.

The Supreme Court's 2025-26 term commenced with a docket filled with consequential cases involving race, gender, campaign finance, and presidential authority. At the D.C. Bar's annual Supreme Court Review and Preview, experts discussed the Court's increasing polarization, with Chief Justice Roberts joining the majority 95 percent of the time in the previous term, while Justices Thomas and Alito aligned 97 percent of the time. Key cases include challenges to transgender student athlete participation, a Louisiana voting rights case concerning majority-Black congressional districts, Colorado's conversion therapy ban, and campaign finance restrictions. Legal analysts have criticized the Court's increasing use of its emergency docket to decide politically charged cases without full hearings, while public confidence in the judiciary has reached record lows.

Former U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick, who represented Detroit from 1996 to 2011 and chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 2007-2009, died on October 7 in Atlanta at age 80. As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, she secured over $1.5 billion in projects for Michigan and millions in funding for sub-Saharan African nations. Before her congressional career, Kilpatrick was a public school teacher who served 18 years in the Michigan House of Representatives, becoming the first Black woman to serve on its Appropriations Committee. Her advocacy focused on increasing the federal minimum wage, supporting Black-owned businesses, and securing funding for Haiti and African nations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, typically known as an articulate and confident communicator, stumbled awkwardly when podcast host Van Lathan asked whether he would accept campaign contributions from AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group. Instead of providing a clear answer, Newsom repeatedly said "that's interesting" and claimed he hadn't heard AIPAC mentioned in years, despite the organization publicly thanking him for visiting Israel in 2023. The evasive response went viral and drew criticism from progressive politicians, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who called on Democratic leaders to reject AIPAC money and acknowledge the genocide in Gaza to regain credibility with young voters. The incident highlighted how rarely major political figures face tough questions about their financial ties to lobbying groups involved in controversial foreign policy issues.

The Amazing Grace & Resource Fair event, held on September 30, 2025, at the Christian Fellowship Congregational Church, successfully brought together pastors, community members, and San Diego County officials to address high substance overdose death rates. The event was organized by the Amazing Grace Subcommittee, which was formed to tackle overdose deaths particularly affecting African American, Hispanic, and Native American communities in San Diego County. Following a "Train the Trainer" event for pastors on July 30th, 2025, the initiative expanded to congregations in September, with the resource fair featuring speakers including Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs, Jr., District Attorney Summer Stephan, and Public Health Officer Dr. Seyone Thihalolipavan. The event's goal was to combat the substance overdose crisis through prayer, education, awareness, and training.

D'Angelo, a Grammy-winning R&B artist and neo-soul pioneer born Michael Eugene Archer, has died at age 51 after battling pancreatic cancer. Despite releasing only three studio albums over his three-decade career, D'Angelo profoundly influenced modern music with his fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop elements. His groundbreaking albums—Brown Sugar (1995), Voodoo (2000), and Black Messiah (2014)—established him as a visionary musician who channeled vulnerability, sensuality, and social consciousness while bridging past musical traditions with contemporary sounds. Before his death, D'Angelo had been working on a fourth studio album and recently withdrew from the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia due to medical complications from a previous surgery.

The National Guard is being deployed in Memphis, Tennessee as part of an effort to combat high violent crime rates, stirring memories of previous Guard deployments during civil rights unrest in 1968 and 1978. President Trump announced the deployment with support from Republican Governor Bill Lee, who stated troops would be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to support local law enforcement, though without tanks. For longtime Memphis residents like Joe Calhoun and Al Lewis, who witnessed the Guard's presence during the 1968 sanitation workers' strike and aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, this deployment evokes uncomfortable memories of military checkpoints and armed patrols. While current crime statistics show improvement in several categories including murders, the deployment reflects ongoing concerns about violence in the majority-Black city with deep civil rights history.

New York Attorney General Letitia James raised $567,000 from over 24,000 donors within 24 hours of being indicted on felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. President Trump, who had long called for James's indictment, previously faced a civil fraud case brought by James that resulted in a $500 million penalty that was later overturned on appeal. New York City mayoral candidate Hakeem Jeffries organized a press conference with Black elected officials to support James, condemning the indictment as "political retribution." The situation highlights ongoing tensions between James and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running for mayor with Trump's implicit support, after James led the investigation that resulted in Cuomo's resignation over sexual misconduct allegations.

A ProPublica investigation reveals how insurance companies across America are denying necessary medical care to patients, leaving families devastated and struggling to navigate complex appeal processes. The Affordable Care Act expanded the right to external appeals, but these protections remain uneven across states with many patients unaware of their options. State-based consumer assistance programs have become crucial resources for patients fighting denials, though only about 30 states operate such programs, leaving millions without adequate support. Experts emphasize the importance of persistence in appealing denials, as independent reviewers can overturn insurance companies' decisions and force payment for care, though the system remains difficult to navigate with information about appeals often buried in confusing denial letters.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has identified ten key state legislative races to watch in November across Virginia, New Jersey, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Washington, framing them as crucial for expanding Democratic power. Despite DLCC President Heather Williams emphasizing their focus on supporting Democrats in competitive districts, the Democratic Party continues to neglect Black-owned media, including the historic Black Press of America, which has been instrumental in mobilizing support for the party for nearly 200 years. While spotlighting diverse candidates in these races, Democrats are still directing advertising dollars primarily to white-owned media outlets rather than investing in Black media that reaches millions of their core voters weekly. Critics suggest this ongoing neglect of Black-owned media contributed to decreased Black voter turnout in the 2024 election cycle and may threaten Democratic electoral prospects moving forward.